Hearts of Oak legend, Charles Assampong Taylor has taken a swipe at Asante Kotoko, describing his former club as “local champions.”
The Porcupine Warriors made a poor start to the 2022/23 season, having exited the CAF Champions League at the hands of minnows RC Kadiogo after emerging as the champions for the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League.
Kotoko defeated the Burkinabe side 1-0 away but lost by the same scoreline at home, before suffering a penalty shootout defeat to the visitors.
Seydou Zerbo’s side also conceded a late goal to draw with rivals Hearts of Oak on Sunday in the matchday three games at the Baba Yara Stadium after dominating the game.
Fans of the club have been very critical of the referee who officiated the game following a series of controversial penalty calls that were denied.
Reacting to this, Taylor, who won the Ghana Premier League with Kotoko, slammed the club over their recent poor form.
“Asante Kotoko are local champions. They wasted the important penalties against Kadiogo. They should stop demanding penalties against Hearts of Oak, it’s needless,” he said, as quoted by Angel FM.
Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko have also since petitioned the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association to take disciplinary actions against the referee.
Taylor was one of the most exciting talents in the Ghana Premier League from the late nineties to the early 2000s.
He was part of Hearts’ famous 64 Battalion that won the treble of league, FA Cup, and CAF Champions League in 2000.
He later crossed carpets to play for Hearts’ bitter rivals Asante Kotoko, in what was a very controversial transfer move.
Taylor is remembered by many Ghanaians for his electric pace and skills on the flanks, having dazzled in his prime. He is also a former top scorer in the Ghanaian league.